God's Forgiveness

We all know that the Bible teaches that God forgives sinful people. AND YET, many of us just cannot bring ourselves to REALLY BELIEVE that God ACTUALLY can and will forgive ME. The Bible emphasizes the REALITY of God's forgiveness in various ways. Here are THREE metaphors which DECLARE that God forgives us sinful people, and God does this so emphatically that God will NEVER bring this back up again. Our sins are GONE FOREVER.

1. Psalm 103:12:
"As far as the east is from the west,
so far he [God] removes our transgressions from us."
How far is the east from the west? Where is the East Pole? Where is the West Pole? This metaphor is astounding. God has removed each sinner from that person's sins as the east from the west. IF a person REALLY accepts God's forgiveness, how could that person EVER feel that that person is still guilty for his or her sins before God?

2. Micah 7:18-19:
"Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity
and passing over the transgression
of the remnant of your possession?
He does not retain his anger forever,
because he delights in showing clemency.
He will again have compassion upon us;
he will tread all our iniquities under foot.
You will cast all our sins
into the depths of the sea."
Some of the regions of the oceans are extremely deep. No human being can go into that region. God declares that he casts all our sins into the depths of the sea. How can anyone who REALLY believes the promises of the Bible think that that person is still guilty of his or her sins that God has forgiven?

3. Isaiah 38:17:
"Surely it was for my welfare that I had great bitterness;
but you have held back my life from the pit of destruction,
for you have cast all my sins behind your back."
When a person throws something behind his or her back, he or she can no longer see what that person has thrown away. God proclaims that he casts our sins behind his back. NOW, God no longer sees or remembers or acknowledges those sins which has thrown away. How can anyone who REALLY believes that God has ACTUALLY forgiven that person of his or her sins and still think that he or she is guilty of his or her wrongs.

Forgiveness is real. This is a gift of God. We human beings must learn to gladly receive this tremendous, unbelievable gift.

Many of my friends and students and associates are racked with the guilt of sin. This often leads to deep depression. God's promises of forgiveness are there for the receiving of the believer. I hope you will learn to trust in God that he ACTUALLY forgives YOU of YOUR sins. This will liberate YOU, and allow God to do HIS work in YOUR life.

How are you "coping" with your sins and your guilt? Share your burdens with others. Let me know your thoughts. How can I help YOU?

John Willis